o talk of him, and to exchange news of his
sayings and doings.

In the actual writing of this volume, I have received most kind help for
which I return grateful thanks to the givers. For the verification of
dates and a few other particulars I am indebted to Mr Colvin's able
article in the _Dictionary of National Biography_.

It is dedicated, in the first instance, to the memory of Mr and Mrs
Thomas Stevenson and their son, and, in the second, to all the dearly
prized friends of the Balfour connection who have either, like the
household at 17 Heriot Row, passed into the 'Silent Land,' or who are
still here to gladden life with their friendship.

MARGARET MOYES BLACK.
_August_ 1898.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
Page
HEREDITY AND ANTECEDENTS 9

CHAPTER II

CHILDHOOD 22

CHAPTER III

BOYHOOD AND COLLEGE DAYS 33

CHAPTER IV

AS I FIRST KNEW HIM 45

CHAPTER V

HIS HOME LIFE 57

CHAPTER VI

HIS CHOICE OF A LITERARY LIFE AND HIS EARLY BOOKS 70

CHAPTER VII

WANDERINGS IN SEARCH OF HEALTH 83

CHAPTER VIII

HIS MARRIAGE AND FRIENDSHIPS 92

CHAPTER IX

HIS ESSAYS AND VERSES 101

CHAPTER X

HIS STORIES 117

CHAPTER XI

HIS LIFE IN SAMOA 131

CHAPTER XII

HIS DEATH 141

CHAPTER XIII

HIS LIFE-WORK 150

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

CHAPTER I

HEREDITY AND ANTECEDENTS

'These are thy works, O father, these thy crown,
Whether on high the air be pure they shine
Along the yellowing sunset, and all night
Among the unnumbered stars of God they shine.
Or whether fogs arise, and far and wide
The low sea-level drown--each finds a tongue,
And all night long the tolling bell resounds.
So shine so toll till night be overpast,
Till the stars vanish, till the sun return,
And in the haven rides the fleet at last.'
--R. L. STEVENSON.

In no country in the world is heredity more respecte